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7 Reasons Why Small Towns Rule

Living in the tiniest town in Connecticut is difficult for any teenager, but here's how I've learned to appreciate my roots and realize how much I'm going to miss this place after I'm gone.

Ashley Mulhare

Jul 21, 2019

Villanova University

https://pixabay.com/photos/city-houses-small-town-architecture-3378773/

For most of my life I've lived in Roxbury, Connecticut, with a population of about 2,000 people, and although there's not much of anything happening here, over the past two years I've learned to love this place and find an appreciation for everything in this area. Although it seems like living in a small town makes you somehow behind in growing up, I wouldn't change anything about what I've learned from my small Roxbury community. Here are 7 attributes of Connecticut that make me finally understand why my parents built a home here for me and my siblings.

1. The scenery

Ashley Mulhare

Connecticut has some of the prettiest views I've ever seen in my life. Although I didn't appreciate it much as a kid, I have a new respect for the scenery in my area. Northwestern Connecticut seems to have everything from mountains to lakes with the best pull off spots for sunsets. Even though we have to deal with rough winters, residents of the area also get to experience the foliage in fall and the excitement of early spring, giving me such an appreciation for our beautiful environment.

2. Everyone knows everyone

Even when this can seem like a negative, living in a small town allows you to make really strong relationships with kids living in your area. I've been best friends with the same group of kids since 6th grade and have been in school with many of them since Kindergarten. You learn a lot and are able to grow together when you are spending your entire day with each other, from 7 in the morning till 6 at night after sports practices.

3. There's more to do than you think

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Even though my town has one restaurant and the nearest movie theater is 15 minutes away, my friends and I have realized that not having anything to do tends to be the most fun. Whether it be going on an afternoon hike or camping in the yard binge watching movies, living in Roxbury forces you to be more creative in finding ways to have fun on a budget with little resources.

4. Food!!

http://mamiesrestaurant.com/

No matter where I travel I always seem to look for places similar to the destinations I have at home. With the cutest restaurants serving the best, local, organic food, don't be surprised by the cuisine in Connecticut, it's worth every penny.

5. Connections go a long way

Every person you meet in your life has entered your world for a reason, so don't take them for granted. Small town people won't take advantage of you, and are normally some of the nicest people I've ever met. I am appreciative of every one of them and their stories will influence my entire life.

6. Loyalty goes a long way

Shopping local is what makes small towns like mine thrive. Staying faithful to small businesses around the area has taught me a lot about loyalty and how supporting others always pays off. There's always hidden treasures around, sometimes you just have to search for them!

7. Home is home

No matter how far away you go or for how long you travel, small towns will always be there, waiting for you to come back with open arms, ready to hear all about your experiences.

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7 Reasons Why Small Towns Rule

Living in the tiniest town in Connecticut is difficult for any teenager, but here's how I've learned to appreciate my roots and realize how much I'm going to miss this place after I'm gone.

1. The scenery

2. Everyone knows everyone

3. There's more to do than you think

4. Food!!

5. Connections go a long way

6. Loyalty goes a long way

7. Home is home

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10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1. "What do I have to study for?"

2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. — Genie

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

Money

Socks

Blankets

Gift Cards

Hoodies and Sweatpants

Pajamas

Candles

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